Collapsible pontoon for boats and the like



Nov. 19, 1929. N. s. HARTER GOLLAPSIBLE PONTOON FOR BOATS AND THE LIKE Filed May 19. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 19, 1929. I N. s. HARTER 7 COLLAPSIBLE PONTOON FOR BOATS AND THE LIKE Filed May 19. 192"! 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nag/Is Hfln en Patented Nov. 19, 1929 v NOAH s. HARTER, or WAUKEGAN,'ILLINOISfASSIGNOB T 1am Boar COMPANY, A COPARTNERSHIP consrsrrne 0F NOAH s. HARTER, ERNEST H. H RPER, A.

IBEAUBIEN, HARRY CHAPMAN, AND WALTER BILHARS I v COLLAPSIBL E PONTOON FOR BOATS AND THE LIKE Application med May 19,

1 to the stability'of the craft.

' The present invention provides collapsible pontoons for boats Which may be built in or are removable from a boat or similar water craft, which provide obvious advantages over the well known type of rigid, built-in, noncollapsible pontoons, and which are especially adapted for use with collapsible port-' able boats. When used on a boat in calm water a device ofthe class-described, may be collapsed so as not-to interfere with the maneuvering or speed of the boat, and. in case of a rough sea or sudden storm, may be extended by a single jerk on a pull cord, in which extended position it will give added .25 buoy'a'ncy and stability to the craft, effec-' tively preventing. accidental overturning or sinking of the same. 7

It is accordingly an object of this invenfilled with air upon extension of the same.

Another object of this invention, is to pro vide removable pontoons adapted foreasy and quick installation on a water craft. a

provide collapsible pontoons adapted for instlzgllation on the sides or bow of a boat or the li e. j i J v A still further object of this invention is to provide boat pontoons which may be rapidly collapsedor extended by a single tug on aullcord.'- 1 ther and further important objects of a this invention will be apparent fromthe dis closures in the'specification and accompanyingdrawings. a

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings andh-ereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 3.

equally adapted A further object of this inventioniis to 1927. Serial No. 192,588.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collaps- Figure 3 is a fragmentary'vertical se0 tional view taken substantially along line III III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line IV-IV of I Figure 5 is a vertical, sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing a removable form of the device. Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in elevation taken from the left of Figure 5., f Figure/7v is a sectional'view of a portion of the device, namely, a stop plug. r

Figure 8 is a plan viewvof a modified form of the present invention,lshowing the same secured to a boat;

Figure Sis a horizontal sectional view, with parts'omitted, taken substantially along line IXIX of Figure 8. i o

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line X X of Figure 9.3 I

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in elevation taken from the left of Figure 10.f g 7 tion to provide-collapsible pontoons-for a 30 boat or the like, which are automatically As shown on the drawings: V

The illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention is shown attached to aboat of, the collapsible portable type but, of course, it is for. attachment to any form of'boat. v a

The reference'numeral 1 indicates a'b oat which is encased by an impervious covering 2. Secured to the sides of the boat 1 is a :plu-- "rality ofv collapsible pontoons 3 which are substantially identical in construction. In".

Figure 2, the full lines show the pontoons, 3 in their'inflated or extendediform, and-the dotted lines show the pontoonscollapsedj" It a is to be noted that in their collapsed positions, the pontoons adhere substantiallyto the sides of the boat 1 and form themselves any degree from the speed or maneuvering of theboat. p

Each of the pontoons 3 comprisesan ini- P ry e a flex b e a ing-er covering t accordingly, whereby they do not detract in i which is attached as shown at 5 or in any desired manner to the covering 2 of the boat and to the covering 2 as shown at- 12.

1 and which encloses an air chamber 6. Within the chamber 6 there is provided a plurality of angularly bent supporting rods or braces 7 having inwardly bent tips 8 thereon, which tips 8 are loosely engaged by straps .9 secured to the covering 2 of the boat 1.

'A flexible strip 10 interconnects the braces 7 so'that the braces may be actuated simul taneously. To limit the pivotal movement of the braces within'the straps 9 a flexible ten- I sion strip 11 is secured to one of the braces To elevatethe braces 7 into their extended position a pull cord 13, preferably of extra heavy or double thickness canvas, is secured to one end of the interconnecting strip .10, or if desired maybe made integral therewith, and

for dropping the braces into their collapsed positionpa pull cord 14 is fastened to the other end of the interconnecting strip 10.

' c'ourse, 'being covered by the water-tight enthe flange 17.

. collapsible air chamber seatpfiled May 19,

ga-gement of the stop plug 16 connected by .The stop plug 16 and the flanges 17j-are identical with the stop plugs and flanges set forth and described in my co-pending application for United States'Letters Patent for 1927, Serial No; 192,586, and sowill not be further described herein.

In operation each of the pontoons 3 are identical, the basic principle being substantially similar to that disclosed i'n my above identified copending application. Assuming itfis desired to collapse the pontoons from their inflated orextended position as shown inFigures 2 1304, inclusive, the'stop plug l6 f-is removed and the pull cord 14 given .a slight tug or jerk, thereby actuating the braces 7 and causing the sameto' pivot within the straps!) and assume a horizontal position as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 4, the

casing 4 f alling down upon the collapsed braces and held in this position by'the end ,brace'I- The air contained in the chamber 6 passes out through theaperture 19 left im- 7 covered by the removal of the stop plug 16 The stop plug is then replaced'to prevent water from entering the collapsed pontoon. To adjustthe-device to its extended position lit is only necessary-to remove the stop plug 16 and raise the braces 7 simultaneously by V a slight pullon the pull cord13, air simultaneously entering the chamber 6-through the aperture left by the removal of the stop plug, after which the stop plug 16 is replaced. 1 r It is to be noted that the braces 7 when in their extended position are notexactly normal to the sides of the boat 1, but are slightly inclined to the pull cord 13 asshown'inIFigure 4. Further inclination in this direction is prevented by the tension strip 11. In this position the braces are adapted to Withstand any sudden j ars or exterior pressure, to which the pontoon may be subjected when in use, without collapsing. I a

Figure 5 illustrates a device ofthe class described herein which is adapted "to be re; movably mounted to a boat or the like. The

only differencebetween this form and the-- previously described form'of this'ihvention, is the addition of a strip 20 of mpervious material which is secured on one side to the.

covering 4 as at 21, forming a water-tight joint, and at the other side is heldinclamped relationship with the covering '4 by "rivets 22 which secure both-the strip 20 and the covering 4 to stiffened hangers 23, which-hangers are adapted to engage over the gunwale of a boat. The strip 20in this form-of the inven'ti'on supports the straps 9 and has s ecured to it one end of the tension strap 11.

Fastened to the covering 2 of a boat '1 as at 24, is a relatively narrow strip 25' of 1mpervious material adjacent to whi'ch the 'cas-- ing 4 terminates. As shown in Figure 6, both the casing 4 an'd the' strip25' are a'pertured and provided with eyelets'26'to accommodate the lacing 27which holds'the pontoon in tight engagement along its 'loweredge with the boat 1. The operation of this form of the invention is the same as that of the previously described form.

Figures 8 to ll 'inclusive show a, modified form of this invention which consists of a collapsible 'pontoon 28 adapted to be'removably secured over the bow of-a" boat 1 to form'su'bstantially a buoyant cabin deck. In

this form of the device there is shown an im- I previous casing 4 enclosing an air chamber 6 and extending downwardly substantially perpendicular, when in use, as a't.29,'which extensions are provided with apertures and eyelets 26-to accommodate thelacin'g27which secures the pontoon 28 at each side to a'relatively narrow strip'25 secured to the casing 2 on the boat 1. The bottom oft'he'pontoon is formed bya sheet 30 of "similar impervious materialdownwardly bent at each s'idefas at 31 and attached to the casing 4 in anv de-' sired manner to forma watertight joint. This sheet 30 has affixed theretostraps 9 which loosely engage over inwardlyturned ends 8 of braces 32 which bracesar'e' substantially arcuate in form, a flexible-strip 1 0 interconnects the braces 32 and is aflixed to each brace individually by a strap 33. The interconnecting strip 10 is continued at one end to form a pull cord 34 which is connected to a stop plug or air valve 35 and is continued at the other end to form a pull cord 26 which is connected to stop plug 35*.

Stop plugs 35 and 35 are identical to stop plugs 16 and 16 previously described. A tension strip 37 is secured tothe interconnecting strip 10 adjacent the pull cord 36 as shown at 38, and is also secu ed to the sheet 30 as at 39. The operation of this form of the invention is substantially the same as in the previously described forms.

To collapse the pontoon 28 stop plug 35 is removed and the braces 32 actuated through the pull cord 36, whereby the braces are pivoted within'the straps 9 and assume a horizontal position as shown by thedotted lines in Figure 9, and the casing 4 will as sume a position adjacent thereto. Stop plug 35 is then replaced to exclude water from the air chamber 6, To adjust the device to its inflated or extended form stop plug 35 is removed and the braces elevated through the pull cord 34, after which the stop plug 35 is replaced. I

It is to be noted also in this form, that the braces 32 are slightly. inclined from the vertical, this inclination being limited .by the tension strip 37 to withstand pressure exerted upon the top of the casing 4. p The present invention is shown in this application as attached to a portable collapsible boat, but obviously may be atached to any boat; In the removable form strips 25 may be glued or tacked to the sides of any wooden or metal boat, and the device would function in the previously described manner. 7 From the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided novel safety pontoons which are quickly adjustable for use in case of emergency and which mav be collapsed when not needed into a compact form which does not interfere with any desired maneuvers ot a boat to which they are attached. The in to be safely brought ashore by the occupants of the boat.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this inven- Illinois.

adapted to abut the inner side of said casing when pivoted outwardly, means for limiting the movement of said braces, and means for actuating sai'd braces. V

2. In a device of the class described, an impervious casing having a pair of apertures therein and adaptedto be mounted on the exterior of a boat, stop plugs in said'apertures, interconnected braces pivotally mounted within said casing, a pull cord for actuating said braces to expandsaid casing, and a pull cord to actuate-said braces to collapse said casing, each of said cords being secured to one of said plugs.

V 3. In combination, a floatable member, a flexible strip secured thereto, a casing having an air chamber therein, a flexible stripon said casing, and means for connecting said strips to secure said casingto said floatable member. I

4. In a device of the classy described, a collapsible casing having ports leading to an air chamber therein, means for attaching said casing to the exterior of afloatable member, means within said casing for expanding the same, means for actuating said expandingmeans, and means associated with said actuating means for sealing said ports.

5. In combination, a floatable' member, a

means for collapsing said casing, a flexible strip on said casing, and means for connecting said strips to removably secure said p 7 casing to said member.

6. In a device of the character described,

a casing formed of flexible material and housing an air chamber, means pivoted to i the inner face of a wall of said casing, means for actuating said first mentioned means to cause the'same to abut the opposite wall of said casing to expand the same,.means limit ing the movement of said first mentioned means to cause the same to assume a pos1t1on slightly inclined from the vertical, and separate means for actuating said first mentioned means to collapse said casing, there being ports in said'casing to permit the ingress and egress ofair thereto and therefrom.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto;sub- H scribed my name at Waukegan, Lake County,

' NOAH s. HARTER.

tion and, therefore. do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon,'otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

- I claim as my invention: 3

1. In a device of the class described, a sheet of material impervious to liquids, a casing of material impervious to liquids secured thereto and enclosing an air-chamber, braces pivotally secured to said sheet and 

